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Random Quote: Don't do today what you can put off until next week~!
I refuel at the last exit before the Alley on 75 then in Dade. the trip takes around eight hours towing from Pinellas to MM27 where we stay. We stay at a place called Parmers in Litle Torch Key but there are good places in Marathon as well.
I live on Marco Island. A lot of boats from the Tampa overnight here or Naples on the way to the keys. We're about 100nm from Anna Maria island and 85nm from Key West or Marathon. Just a little over 1/2 way.
Marco River Marina is a fairly full service marina here but there is no over night slip rental. There is a great protected area just inside coconut island [right next to the pass] to sleep onboard. You can even take your dinghy to the dock at the Winn Dixie if you forget something.
Many people make it a point to stop at Marco every trip just to see their friends at coconut island on the weekends. Good luck! Let me know if you have any questions.
I live on Marco Island. A lot of boats from the Tampa overnight here or Naples on the way to the keys. We're about 100nm from Anna Maria island and 85nm from Key West or Marathon. Just a little over 1/2 way.
Marco River Marina is a fairly full service marina here but there is no over night slip rental. There is a great protected area just inside coconut island [right next to the pass] to sleep onboard. You can even take your dinghy to the dock at the Winn Dixie if you forget something.
Many people make it a point to stop at Marco every trip just to see their friends at coconut island on the weekends. Good luck! Let me know if you have any questions.
Yeah, what he said. Next gas station 85miles. Nice trip. Have made the trip fom Naples a few times so far this summer and heading back to Marathon next week. Weather permitting.
I did the baby loop a few months ago (down to the keys, up the west coast, across on the OWW and back down to Miami...) from the keys, we went from islamorada/long key up to cape sable, it's an easy run of about 25nm... well marked
we overnighted at anchor off the cape sable beach (great spot...) although you can also overnight at Flamingo, only 10 miles east (marina, hotel and fuel)
on the way up, Everglades city was a nice stop too, we docked at the Reel and Gun club, a nice Inn with restaurant, cheap dockage... or is it the rod and gun club :-) ...
didn't stop in Marco or Naples but there are plenty of anchorages and facilities.
Down in the Keys, good destinations are Islamorada (Holliday Isle or Plantation yacht harbor), Marathon is nice too (faro blanco bay side has a pool and restaurant) and isn't far for Bahia honda state park and beach
I do it once a year. I can make it from the St. Pete pier to Marathon in one long day. I usally stop in at marco for fuel, just to make sure I have plenty before crossing Florida Bay and ice. I have a 28' cat that cruises at 26 knots.
If it gets rough, just run the ICW down and then jump across Fla bay.
I did the baby loop a few months ago (down to the keys, up the west coast, across on the OWW and back down to Miami...) from the keys, we went from islamorada/long key up to cape sable, it's an easy run of about 25nm... well marked
Wow, that is awesome,I hope to one day take 2 weeks off and do one of those runs....It would be a while though, after I get a bigger boat...
Seaduced2004 - 8/6/2004 11:32 AM
Wow, that is awesome,I hope to one day take 2 weeks off and do one of those runs....It would be a while though, after I get a bigger boat...
it's really a 1 week trip (incl 2 weekends). what's neat is that it gives you a sampling of florida... the keys, the everglades, rural farmland, and the glitz. you don't really need a large boat as long as you can make it from Flamingo to Marco or Everglade city... I forgot but that's probably about 80 miles or so...
Tampa to Keys??? 
Nice trip. Have made the trip fom Naples a few times so far this summer and heading back to Marathon next week. Weather permitting. 
